LORETTA DAVIS TO STEP DOWN AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATE CARBONARO TO BECOME NEW LEAD

EAST HAMPTON, NY (OCTOBER 7, 2024)  After ten years leading The Retreat through dramatic growth and assisting thousands of victims of domestic violence across Suffolk County, Loretta Davis has made the decision to step down as Executive Director at the end of 2024. In addition to overseeing The Stephanie House shelter at The Retreat, her legacy includes expansion of services at the Shelter, the development of innovative programs, such as prevention education, the addition of legal services for clients, as well as expanding counseling services to include both virtual and in-person sessions.

Francesca Odell, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, noted, “Over the last ten years, Loretta has brought positive attention to The Retreat and its mission. She is widely respected for both her knowledge of the issues behind domestic violence, and for her dedication and energy in communicating with the community, legislators, donors and victims. She has established a strong base on which our new Executive Director, Cate Carbonaro, will be able to innovate, build and grow.”

Davis came to The Retreat in 2015 after serving as Town Justice in Tuxedo, New York for 20 years. She holds a law degree from New York Law School.

“The Retreat’s mission is near to my heart,” said Davis. “Over the last ten years, I have been privileged to lead The Retreat, engaging our East End communities, our regional and state leadership, our donors, and critical community partners working towards a shared vision for a violence-free community. While I am excited for the next part of my career journey, I leave proud of what we have accomplished, and what The Retreat will accomplish in the future under new leadership.”

CATE CARBONARO

After an extensive search, The Retreat welcomes Cate Carbonaro, who becomes the new Executive Director of The Retreat, when Davis steps down. In an innovative approach to transition, Carbonaro and Davis are working together during the next several months to assure a smooth transition for the organization.

Carbonaro comes to The Retreat from Touro Law School, where she served as Director of the William Randolph Hearst Public Advocacy Center (PAC) and Director of Public Interest. She also taught a Human Trafficking course and created a Poverty Law course. In addition, Carbonaro was instrumental in re-opening the PAC and shifting its focus to supporting survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and sex and labor trafficking. The PAC works directly with seven in-house nonprofit public interest organizations to promote and further access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence and their families in vulnerable communities on Long Island. She is also a member of Suffolk County Women in the Courts Committee, Women’s Diversity Network, and the newly created Suffolk County Access to Justice Committee.

Carbonaro received her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and previously worked at The Legal Aid Society as a public defender in the Exploitation Intervention Project (EIP). EIP is the first effort within a public defender’s office to work with criminalized survivors. She represented criminalized survivors who have experienced gender-based violence, including domestic violence, and labor and sex trafficking, in their criminal cases, on vacating their criminal records, and on the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA). 

“I’m incredibly excited to step into the role of Executive Director at The Retreat,” noted Carbonaro. “Throughout my career, I’ve been dedicated to supporting people experiencing domestic violence, sex and labor trafficking, and criminalized survivors. Joining The Retreat is a natural extension of this work, and I’m thrilled about the opportunity to lead such a respected organization that plays a critical role in empowering and healing our community.”

“What excites me most is the chance to work alongside a passionate and dedicated team, continuing to innovate and grow our services to reach more people in need across Long Island. Loretta has cultivated a remarkable legacy at The Retreat, and I look forward to building on the incredible progress she’s made. I believe we can expand our programs, strengthen our advocacy, and deepen our impact on the lives of survivors, ensuring they have the resources and support to rebuild their lives.”